PHOTO: 23 Halifax St, Macquarie Park – Sydney. FILE
The developers overseeing a 900-home apartment complex in Sydney have received an urgent directive to promptly address several critical defects, citing concerns about the potential ‘threat of collapse’ of the building.
On Monday, the NSW Building Commission issued a Building Work Rectification Order to Greenland Australia, the entity responsible for the development located at 23 Halifax St, Macquarie Park.
The order highlighted significant issues, including serious damage and deterioration of concrete slabs at joint locations between the basement and ground floor, as well as levels six, 11, 17, 22, and 31. These structural problems, attributed to ‘defective workmanship,’ raised fears of possible building or partial building collapse, according to the order.
The developers of a 900-home apartment development in Sydney (pictured) have been ordered to immediately fix a number of serious defects, with concerns the building could be at ‘threat of collapse’
Acting assistant building commissioner Matt Press, who authored the order, emphasized that the identified defects could compromise the concrete slab’s ability to withstand the loads on the carpark and ground floor. Describing it as a defect likely to cause the basement slab to fail, he warned of potential fractures and collapses.
To mitigate these risks, the order mandated the developers to undertake immediate remedial work to ensure the slabs and beams could adequately support the overall structure. Failure to comply with the stipulated instructions was deemed a criminal offense.
The order, initially issued in draft form in October, was directed at Greenland, the local council, owners’ corporation, the certifier, and the Office of the Registrar General. Greenland responded to the Building Commission on December 1 with scanning and structural reports, requesting discretion to avoid the order. However, the acting assistant building commissioner rejected this request, highlighting that the developer did not contest the identified defect.
The swimming pool at the property at 23 Halifax St in the northern Sydney suburb of Macquarie Park is pictured
Acknowledging the potential costs associated with the required actions, Mr. Press emphasized the need to balance these against the safety benefits for the occupants. Greenland Australia, a Fortune 500-listed developer with roots in Shanghai, established its Australian branch in 2013 and is currently considered one of the fastest-growing companies in China. The Macquarie Park apartments, touted as luxury living units ‘designed without compromise,’ are now subject to urgent remediation efforts as outlined in the Building Work Rectification Order. Greenland Australia has been approached for comment.